Keeping Your Pet Safe in the Summer: Tips for a Fun and Healthy Season

Jul 29, 2024

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Dog enjoying summer safely — Summer Safety Tips for Your Pet

It's fun to enjoy sunny summer days with your pet. We can help our pets have safe and happy summers while visiting parks, swimming in pools, and playing on beaches. However, summer also brings very high temperatures that can affect our pets' health. Dogs do not sweat; instead, they regulate their temperature by panting, resting in the shade, and drinking water.

Tips for Walking Dogs in Hot Weather

On hot days, it is best to walk dogs early in the morning or evenings and avoid long walks during the hottest parts of the day. If you walk during hot afternoons, encourage your pet to walk on grass. Sidewalks, streets, and parking lots can get very hot and burn their paw pads. If your pet is used to exercising, such as jogging on pavement, consider getting special boots to avoid paw pad burns. Heat can particularly affect pets that have trouble breathing and short noses, like Bulldogs and Shih Tzus. These dogs overheat more easily and can collapse in hot weather. If your pet is brachycephalic (short-muzzled with a flattened face), avoid exercise during summer days.

Symptoms of Heat Stroke in Dogs

Common symptoms of heat stroke include sudden tiredness, rapid breathing, collapse, changes in the color of their gums, and even seizures. If your pet shows symptoms of heat stroke, use towels with temperate (not cold) water to cool their body while you take them to an emergency veterinary clinic.

Tips for Keeping Pets Hydrated and Cool

We recommend that pets have water available at all times. They need to drink water to hydrate and regulate their temperature. It's best to carry portable water bowls if you exercise with your dog or go to the beach. Many dogs enjoy swimming in pools, lakes, and the ocean. They can swim safely under supervision. We recommend using a life jacket if they are going boating or swimming for a long time. Be sure to show your pet how to get out of the pool, as not all dogs know how to use pool steps. After swimming, rinse your pet with clean water and use an ear cleaning solution to remove moisture from inside the ears.

Safety Tips for Dogs in Cars

Cars heat up quickly during the summer, even if the windows are open. Never leave your dog in a car, especially during the summer. Lastly, to make summer even more fun, you can freeze pieces of their favorite fruit like bananas, apples, or watermelon and offer them a delicious frozen snack. Keeping your dog cool and safe will help you enjoy a happy and fun summer.